Wheel Vibration after 55mph

[argyle409]

Today I noticed that if I go over 55mph the car starts to vibrate rather violently, the steering wheel and just the whole car in general I noticed the passenger seat shaking which it has never done before. I drove 90miles from mass Thursday no issue, but today getting on the highways when I reach 50mph and go any faster the whole car vibrates, and increases with speed. I can't tell which wheel it would be coming from, so I put air in all the tires and still vibrates over 55mph. I need to drive back tomorrow back the 90miles to mass, but I need to figure this out, since frankly it doesn't seem like it would be good for the car to be shaking this bad for another 180miles till I come home again. Its 2003 outback if that helps at all

[02_Legacy]

The first thought that comes to my mind is maybe you lost a wheel weight, or there is mud or something of the like stuck in your rim(s). Make sure there is no big clumps of mud in your rims, and look for signs of an area a wight used to be (corossion, chipped paint, fade marks) to see if maybe you lost one.

[argyle409]

The first thought that comes to my mind is maybe you lost a wheel weight, or there is mud or something of the like stuck in your rim(s). Make sure there is no big clumps of mud in your rims, and look for signs of an area a wight used to be (corossion, chipped paint, fade marks) to see if maybe you lost one.

Well I did go ""off-roading"" last night, but nothing too extreme just a muddy parking lot. I added air to the tires today since one looked low, that didn't help I noticed a ton of mud in the wheel wells but nothing over the top since she is always covered in mud somewhat. I talked to my father about it, he feels when he drove it, as if it has an issue with shift from 3-4th gear since its a 4-auto and you only use 4th to pass people. But I'm saying the vibration comes in around 40mph diffidently noticeable at 55 or higher.

[02_Legacy]

I still stick to my first statment that one of your wheels are out of balence. Something such as a driveshaft that is out of balence could cause it, but I don't think that would happen overnight unless you ran over something. I don't think anything in the tranny would do it. But to check if it is your tranismission it in 3 and then get up to speed and see if it still happens.

And just FYI, The top gear in any transmission, 4th in your case, is always for crusing such as when you are going 55 down the highway. And generally the transmission will kick down to a lower gear, probably 3rd in your case, when passing.

[Huffer]

Dont add air just because the tire looks low. Measure it with a tire pressure monitor. My money is on one of the following:
1. Out of balance wheels. Take them to Walmart, go shopping and have them balance your wheels for $20.
2. Frozen brake caliper on front wheel.

[argyle409]

I still stick to my first statment that one of your wheels are out of balence. Something such as a driveshaft that is out of balence could cause it, but I don't think that would happen overnight unless you ran over something. I don't think anything in the tranny would do it. But to check if it is your tranismission it in 3 and then get up to speed and see if it still happens.

And just FYI, The top gear in any transmission, 4th in your case, is always for crusing such as when you are going 55 down the highway. And generally the transmission will kick down to a lower gear, probably 3rd in your case, when passing.

there was as you can say a "rut" like what jeeps or trucks would off road in as a large puddle I went through that with a bit of trouble and may of bottomed out, but I checked the car underneath and didn't seem anything wrong I only drove about 35mph home so not like I would've felt the vibrations.

Thank you for the clarification with the gears but from what I felt driving it tonight we took it out and after 55mph in a straight away we brought it up to 100mph it shifted a gear so I'm assuming went from 3rd (80mp) to 4th (80+mph)

To the other person bellow this post, how do I get Walmart to balance my wheels, our Walmart doesn't even have a food section like most let alone an auto area?

[Huffer]

Well go to a wheel balancing shop then.

[httrdd]

I was having the same problem after 75mph after mounting used tires. Paid about 40 bucks to high speed balance inside and outside of rim. Worked like a charm!

[aekOne]

The first thought that comes to my mind is maybe you lost a wheel weight, or there is mud or something of the like stuck in your rim(s). Make sure there is no big clumps of mud in your rims, and look for signs of an area a wight used to be (corossion, chipped paint, fade marks) to see if maybe you lost one.

this would be my bet as well

[argyle409]

the drive shaft ended up being caked in mud...I washed it and then brought it to the dealer to ask, they said I should go buy a truck if I was to go have fun in the mud...

[httrdd]

F them! Lol. I have seen trucks get pulled out by subies!

[argyle409]

F them! Lol. I have seen trucks get pulled out by subies!

haha yea this summer I went to a muddin event and my friend in her sti pulled out a guy built up bronco

they weren't pleased with the fact my car was coated in mud when I brought it there, even after getting it washed